The White House confirmed late Tuesday that President Trump will nominate William Blanche to serve as permanent Attorney General, a last-ditch reshuffle that has sent shockwaves through Washington. Blanche, a longtime Trump ally and former federal prosecutor, has held the post in an acting capacity since the resignation of Jeff Sessions in November. The nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, is widely seen as a bid to solidify the President's grip on the Justice Department ahead of the 2020 election.
Critics argue the move further politicises an institution traditionally insulated from executive interference. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has pledged a swift confirmation process, with hearings expected before the end of the year. Should Blanche be confirmed, he would inherit a department embroiled in multiple controversies, including the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 campaign and the handling of the Mueller report.
For working Americans, the shake-up may seem distant, but the implications are tangible: a Justice Department focused on defending the President rather than enforcing the law could undermine protections for workers, consumers, and communities. Unions and advocacy groups have already voiced alarm. 'This is a dangerous concentration of power,' said a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union.
'We will fight this nomination every step of the way.' The nomination sets the stage for a bitter partisan battle in the Senate, where Republicans hold a slim majority. Democrats have called for a full investigation into Blanche's past conduct, including his role in the Trump University fraud lawsuit and his involvement in the firing of James Comey.
As the clock ticks on the Trump presidency, the Blanche nomination is more than a personnel change: it is a litmus test for the rule of law.
